How a Swedish King Settled the Tea vs Coffee Debate

When tea first arrived in Europe, it wasn’t instantly welcomed. In fact, it faced fierce competition—and skepticism—from an already entrenched rival: coffee. Western consumers had to be convinced that tea wasn’t just exotic, but better—or at least healthier—than their daily cup of joe. This tension played out across centuries and continents, often with surprising outcomes.

Quick answer: In an 18th-century royal experiment, a Swedish king tasked twin prisoners with drinking five cups of tea or coffee daily. The tea-drinking brother lived to 87; the coffee-drinker to 83. That small study helped shift Swedish opinion toward tea.

The Tea-Coffee Rivalry Begins in Europe

Tea’s introduction to Europe wasn’t universally embraced. While some praised it as an “Eastern elixir” with health benefits, others argued it was habit-forming and harmful—much like coffee. Establishing tea as a legitimate alternative to coffee in the West was a slow and contentious process. Both beverages were foreign imports, but coffee had a head start, especially in countries like Sweden.

Gustav III’s Unconventional Social Experiment

According to reports from China-based business media, King Gustav III of Sweden (reigning in the late 18th century) was intrigued by the debate over tea and coffee’s effects on health. At the time, public opinion was divided. To settle the matter, the king devised an unusual experiment. He identified a pair of identical twins imprisoned and sentenced to death. Their punishment was commuted under one condition: one brother would drink five cups of tea per day, the other five cups of coffee, for the rest of their lives. The goal was to observe long-term health effects until death. The tea-drinking twin lived to 87; the coffee-drinker to 83. While hardly a rigorous clinical trial, the outcome was taken as evidence that tea might not be as dangerous as some believed—and may even have had benefits.

How the Experiment Shaped Drinking Habits

This royal experiment had an outsized cultural impact. Though scientifically dubious by today’s standards, it helped sway Swedish public opinion. Tea gradually gained acceptance and popularity, paving the way for its broader adoption across Europe. Meanwhile, coffee continued its global expansion, eventually making its way into Asian markets. The back-and-forth between tea and coffee as dominant beverages has never truly ceased, with each region developing its preferences and defenses.

The Modern Tea-Coffee Debate Continues

In more recent times, the debate has evolved. In November of a past year, inspired by China’s leading white tea brand, the country’s tea industry launched a campaign called “White Tea Takes Coffee” (or “Bai Cha Qu Fei”). This playful “Bai Cha Qu Fei” movement, a homophone for “white tea replaces coffee,” suggested that white tea might one day overtake coffee in popularity. While obviously symbolic, the campaign highlighted the enduring cultural and commercial competition between the two beverages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was King Gustav III and why did he care about tea and coffee?

King Gustav III ruled Sweden in the late 18th century. He was curious about the health effects of tea and coffee, which were subjects of public debate. To resolve the argument, he conducted an informal lifelong experiment using two twin prisoners.

What did the twins in Gustav III’s experiment drink?

One twin drank five cups of tea per day, while the other drank five cups of coffee daily. This went on for years until both eventually passed away.

How long did the twins live in Gustav III’s experiment?

The tea-drinking twin lived to be 87 years old, while the coffee-drinking twin lived to 83. The king used this difference to suggest tea might be the healthier choice.

Did this experiment prove tea is healthier than coffee?

Not definitively. The sample size was extremely small, the conditions weren’t controlled, and modern scientific standards weren’t applied. But it did influence public perception in Sweden at the time.

What is the “White Tea Takes Coffee” movement?

It was a 2023 campaign in China inspired by a white tea brand. The slogan “Bai Cha Qu Fei” (a pun meaning “white tea marries coffee” or “white tea replaces coffee”) suggested white tea could overtake coffee in the future. It symbolized ongoing cultural competition between tea and coffee.

Is tea more popular than coffee in Sweden today?

Sweden remains one of the top coffee-consuming nations globally, but tea gained ground after the 18th-century shift in perception. Still, coffee dominates Swedish daily consumption habits.

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